AppStore

iPhone Apps needs to be pass through Apple‘s gate to be approved and made available to iPhone users via App Store. Of course, this way Apple can filter-out bad application, and possibly avoid competing Apps (e.g. Skype for making phone calls from iPhone or Google applications). For consumer, it gives a single window access and most importantly “theoratically” some assurance that their iPhones are not going to be invaded by some virus infected applications. However, this model have some issue in the enterprise domains.

For example, FedEx‘s IT department would like to develop an iPhone application for their delivery people. This FedEx app would enable them to navigate to the location and get signature as a proof of delivery.

In this case, why should FedEx’s get its own application be certified from Apple? Why should this application, which is restricted to its employees, be made available through AppStore?

Shouldn’t enterprises be able to roll-out their own applications to themselves or their customers without getting Apple in between?